Projects (SQL Server Management Studio)

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW)

A Management Studio project is a collection of logically related scripts and files that can be saved together for database administration and development.

Script Project Overview

SQL Server script projects are displayed in the Solution Explorer component of Management Studio. A script project can contain zero or more project files. You can add a project to a solution or combine more than one project within a solution.

Projects can include the following:

• Connections. A connection, as persisted within a project, will contain login information, server name, default database, preferred protocol, authentication type, and connection properties. Connection information may optionally be stored with a script (see below).

• SQLScripts. Frequently used SQL scripts for the user. Double-clicking a .sql file within the project will cause the SQL Editor to open the selected script.

• MDX, DMX, and XMLAScripts. Frequently used MDX scripts for the user. Double-clicking an .mdx file within the project will cause the Editor to open the selected script.

• Misc. This folder can be used for files that do not neatly fit into any of the other default node types, such as a text file that contains the project objectives.

Projects can also be integrated into a source code control system.

Connecting to an Instance of SQL Server from a Script Project

A script project may contain connections to an instance of SQL Server. You can connect to an instance of SQL Server in a project by clicking the connection. This will open an SQL Script window that is connected to the instance of SQL Server defined in the connection you selected. If you open a SQL Server or MDX script with a connection that uses SQL Server authentication, you will be prompted for the password using the Connect to SQL Server dialog box after the Editor has been opened and the script loaded.

The connection will be closed after the corresponding window is closed.

To modify information about a connection, use the properties window in Management Studio.

Project Tasks

Task Description	Topic
Describes how to create a new project in a solution.	Create a Project
Describes how to add an existing project to a solution.	Add an Existing Project to a Solution
Describes how to change the default location at which project files are saved.	Change the Default Location for Projects
Describes how to view the current properties for a project.	View Project Properties
Describes how to add new items, such as connections or script files, to a project.	Add New Items to a Project
Describes how to establish the connection information for a query.	Associate a Query with a Connection in a Project
Describes how to change the connection information for a query.	Change the Connection Associated with a Query
Describes how to change connection properties.	View or Change the Properties of a Connection in a Project

See Also

Solution Explorer
Solutions (SQL Server Management Studio)
Solution Explorer Source Control